Just the thought of visiting the dentist is enough to create feelings of fear and anxiety in people throughout the world. For some reason, dentists have a reputation for being cold, rough and uncaring. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, some dentists are probably a little bit rough, and they might be intimidating or scary – especially to young children – but in reality, the vast majority are highly skilled health professionals who are both gentle and careful.
Even if you accept this, you still may suffer from dental anxiety. Visiting the dentist may be a difficult, harrowing experience for you, and one which you continually put off. Our top 5 tips for overcoming dental anxiety include:
- Accept Your Fear
One of the first steps to overcoming any fear or phobia is accepting that you have a problem. If you suffer from fear of dentists or dental anxiety, you need to accept that you have a problem, think about why you have a problem and start working towards overcoming it.
- See A Psychologist
If you continue to suffer from dental anxiety, even after you have identified and accepted your problem, you may have deeper psychological problems. If your anxiety is preventing you from receiving the dental care and attention that you need, then you should consider seeing a psychologist to help you work through it.
- Use Relaxation Techniques
Some people can over come low level anxiety by using a range of relaxation techniques. Start by listening to some music which you find relaxing and which calms you down. If you feel yourself getting worked up or stressed out about seeing your dentist. Take deep breaths and focus on keeping yourself calm. You could also use meditation and things like positive imagery to help yourself.
- Find Someone You Trust
If you are having a hard time visiting the dentist on your own, find someone who you trust to come with you. They will be able to provide emotional support, giving you a shoulder to lean on when you feel stressed and overcome by your dentist visit.
- Speak To Your Dentist
It is extremely important to talk to your dentist if you suffer from any sort of dental anxiety. Even if they seem like scary people, it is very important to communicate with your dentist, otherwise you simply may never get to the root of the problem.
Final Word
Things like dental anxiety and stress can cause huge problems. They can prevent people from visiting the dentist when they need to, resulting in oral health problems and tooth decay. If you suffer from any form of dental anxiety which is preventing you from seeing your dentist as often as you need to, you need to take steps to overcome it. The above tips should help you, but remember to speak to a professional if you continue to suffer.